For hundreds of Malaysian tourists returning from Thailand for their Malaysia Day long weekend, it was a rough ending with hours stuck in a 3km-long traffic jam at the Bukit Kayu Hitam border.
Some were even forced to spend the night in their cars after missing the border closing time.
Traffic congestion began after noon
According to Hatyai Focus, the congestion started around 12pm Thai time yesterday (Sept 15) as thousands of vehicles began heading back to Malaysia via the Sadao and Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoints.
The traffic queue reportedly stretched over 3km, with more than 500 vehicles unable to clear the checkpoint in time. The jam persisted for over 12 hours, making it the worst congestion in the Sadao checkpoint’s history.
Vehicles forced to turn back after border closure
Many travellers who had queued for hours were shocked to learn that the border gates closed at 11pm Malaysian time, forcing them to turn back into Thailand for the night.
Some ended up returning to Sadao town to find hotels, while others had no choice but to spend the night in their vehicles until the border reopened the next morning.
The surge in travellers was attributed to the Malaysia Day long weekend coinciding with the school holidays, which saw thousands heading to popular destinations like Hat Yai and Dannok.
“So close yet so far”
One traveller, Mr. Chai, told Kwong Wah Yit Poh that he and his family of 10 arrived at the Sadao checkpoint at 7pm Malaysian time, only to find the line already stretching nearly 1km long.
We kept waiting, thinking we could cross in time. By 10pm, we were still 500m away from the checkpoint. It was so near yet so far,” he said.
They finally managed to get their exit stamps at 11.50pm, but were told by Thai immigration that the border fence had already closed and they had to turn back.
We ended up returning to Sadao town, had dinner, found a hotel at 2am, and paid 2,800 baht (RM371) just so we didn’t have to sleep in the car,” Mr. Chai added, taking the experience in stride.
Record-breaking traffic volume
According to Oriental Daily, Malaysia’s Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) confirmed that the Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint experienced unprecedented traffic on September 13 alone, with 17,030 people entering Thailand that day, the majority of them Malaysians.
Thai media also reported that this was the first time in history that so many vehicles were unable to clear the Sadao checkpoint before closing time.
Hotels fully booked as chaos unfolded
As travellers scrambled for accommodations in Sadao town after missing the border closing time, local hotels were fully booked by nightfall, a rare sight even during major festive periods such as Songkran, Hari Raya, or Chinese New Year.
This left many stranded travellers with no choice but to sleep in their cars overnight, waiting for the border to reopen the following morning.
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